Subclass 186 / Employer-nominated permanent residence
Employer Nomination Scheme visa (subclass 186)
A longer-term role. A clearer future plan.
Explore a permanent employer-nominated pathway with the right stream in view. We help the business and worker understand the nomination, evidence and requirements before proceeding.
- Visa type
- Permanent
- Employer nomination
- Required
- Primary streams
- Direct Entry, TRT, Labour Agreement
What this pathway offers
A permanent pathway. A considered application.
The 186 is a permanent visa with separate employer nomination and worker requirements. The best starting point depends on the role, visa history and stream.
Permanent residence if granted
Live, work and study in Australia as a permanent resident, with the travel facility and other grant details considered separately.
Connect the role and the person
Prepare a consistent explanation of the business need, nominated position and worker's qualifications and experience.
Include the wider plan
Eligible family members may be included where they meet the requirements. Plan the relevant documents and checks alongside the main application.
Know the application you are preparing
Start with the stream that fits the history.
The requirements differ between direct entry, temporary-to-permanent transition and an employer's labour agreement.
Direct Entry stream
Generally requires an occupation on the CSOL, at least three years of relevant experience and a positive skills assessment before lodgement, unless exempt.
Temporary Residence Transition stream
Generally requires two years of eligible sponsored employment in the three years before applying, plus the relevant visa history and employer nomination.
Labour Agreement stream
For a nomination under a relevant labour agreement. Check the agreement's permanent pathway, occupations, requirements and any concessions.
The requirements in context
What needs to line up.
Review the nomination and visa criteria together, with particular attention to the stream being used:
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A genuine nominated position
The employer must meet the relevant business, role and nomination requirements. The proposed employment, salary and availability of the position need supporting evidence.
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Age and English
Applicants are usually under 45 at application and need the relevant English evidence. Exemptions and labour agreement terms require specific checking.
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Skills or sponsored employment
Direct Entry usually needs a suitable skills assessment and experience. TRT requires a review of eligible sponsored employment, visa grants, occupations and nomination history.
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Application and personal requirements
Check the nomination reference and timing, health, character, family evidence and ability to apply from your current visa position.
The transition test is about eligible employment.
For TRT, simply holding a 482 for two years is not enough. The current framework generally requires two years of eligible full-time sponsored employment in Australia within the three years before applying.
Qualifying time with more than one sponsor may count. We review the visas, approved occupations, nomination history and actual employment periods, rather than assuming the whole period with one employer is required or that every work period counts.
A plan you can follow
From your circumstances to a practical next step.
We help connect the employer's nomination with the worker's stream-specific evidence and application timing.
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Identify the relevant stream
Review age, occupation, qualifications, skills assessment and the complete visa and employment history.
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Prepare the business nomination
Gather evidence of the employer, genuine role, salary and proposed employment under the relevant requirements.
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Coordinate the visa application
Check nomination and lodgement timing, the worker's evidence, family documents and any visa expiry affecting the plan.
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Respond and review the outcome
Address requests and report changes. If granted, review permanent status, travel arrangements and the commitments around the nominated employment.
Preparation that makes sense
The right records. A clearer application.
The checklist depends on the visa, stream and people involved. Depending on your circumstances, it may include:
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Business records, position description, employment contract and salary evidence.
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Passport, current and earlier visa grants and nomination records where relevant.
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Qualifications, suitable skills assessment and professional registration where required.
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Employment references, payslips, tax or other records supporting the relevant experience periods.
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English, family, health and character material for the application.
A little more clarity
Your 186 questions, made clearer.
Start with the essentials, then look at how the requirements apply to the role, history and application.
Do I need a 482 before a 186 application?
Not always. The Direct Entry stream can be available without first holding a 482, if its nomination, occupation, skills, experience and other requirements are met. The Temporary Residence Transition stream has its own visa-history and eligible sponsored-employment requirements. The Labour Agreement stream depends on the relevant agreement and your visa position.
Must I have worked for the same employer for the full two years?
Not necessarily. For TRT, eligible sponsored employment with more than one sponsor may count toward the two years required within the preceding three years. The employment must meet the relevant rules, including full-time work in Australia, the visa held and the approved occupation. We check nomination dates and actual work periods; simply holding a visa for two years is not enough.
Is a skills assessment always required?
No. Direct Entry generally requires a positive skills assessment obtained before the visa application, unless an exemption applies. A skills assessment is not generally required at application for TRT or the Labour Agreement stream, but Home Affairs can request one. The agreement, occupation and any registration or licensing requirements also need checking.
Is there an age limit?
Applicants are generally required to be under 45 when they apply. Specific exemptions can apply, and a labour agreement may provide different terms. The available exemption must be checked against the particular stream and evidence; it should not be assumed from your occupation or visa history alone.
How long will it take and what will it cost?
Timing depends on the stream, application priority, evidence and Home Affairs assessment. See current processing guidance and visa charges. Plan nomination, any SAF levy, visa, assessment and professional costs separately. Employer nomination and sponsorship costs cannot be transferred to the worker. We explain the agreed scope and fees before work begins.
Your next step starts with you
Make the permanent pathway clearer.
Share the role, employer details and worker's visa history. We will help you understand the relevant 186 stream and what to prepare.